Amazon unveils Instant Video app for iPad owners

Netflix isn't the only game in mobile town anymore as Amazon has just released its new Instant Video iPad app. The app is available free to iPad users and offers both Amazon Prime and non-Prime users the ability to purchase or rent videos from Amazon's online database of over 120,000 selections.

The rented or purchased content can then be streamed when online or downloaded for later offline viewing. Amazon Prime members can stream thousands of of movies and TV shows for no extra cost above and beyond their yearly $79 fee. Non-members are required to purchase or rent each individual piece of content they want to watch.

The system is very similar in design and function to Netflix's offering. The layout looks very similar and it features a Watchlist, which is very similar to Netflix's queue. The one downside to the app is that purchases and rentals cannot be made directly from the app. Instead, users have to open Safari and head to Amazon's Instant Video Store. Once purchased, they are available for viewing from the app.